Today’s Song: Trey Songz Is a Changed Man in “Nobody Else But You”

Trey Songz makes a smooth crooning comeback –after a two year hiatus — with leading single “Nobody Else But You” (via Atlantic Records) off of his upcoming album Tremaine (slated for a March 23 release). The R&B hit maker known for both his bouncy club hits like “Bottoms Up” and baby making music like “Slow Motion” is back with a mellow relationship-ready anthem. Let’s note he initially tried to mislead fans into thinking it’s a web-based reality show like the humiliating Flavor Of Love. The parody reality show instead serves as the music video for “Nobody Else But You.”

Watch: “Nobody Else But You” – Trey Songz

Nobody Else But You – Trey Songz

“Nobody Else But You” signals a shift not only In Trey Songz’s music evolving — as an artist should — but also as a man maturing. It seems he’s ready to give up his “player” motives and settle down looking for love rather than lust. The mid-tempo song takes advantage of Songz’s vocal range utilizing both high and low notes while throwing in any R&B artists’ forte limitless ad-libs over contemporary hip-hop beats.

She like what’s up, what’s up with me and you, (ooh ah) yeah
What we fin’nin, fin’nin to do (ooh ah ah)
Lately I’ve been giving you some room, (ooh) uh huh
Lately I just don’t know what to do, ooh ooh ooh
I don’t want nobody else but you (ooh ah ah)
I know you don’t want to wait for me, aye
They say you should stay away from me, (no) aye

I know you the only babe for me, great for me
Gratefully you love me too (ooh ah ah)
Know a lot of men would do you better
Know that I done put you through whatever
I know that you care for me, I know you’ll be there for me
If ever something happen you still down
Real one, I guess I’m just a fool with her
Looking in the mirror like, ain’t you scared to lose her?
Why you acting like another man wouldn’t choose her?
You know she the only true girl, ooh girl

Songz has an impromptu conversation with a girl he’s romantically involved with and wants to take things to the next level by becoming her boyfriend. He knows that it’s going to be hard for him to be in a monogamous relationship given his past as he alludes “they say you should say away from me.” Songz even reflects to himself too with lines “looking in the mirror like, ain’t you scared to lose her?” because that’s his ominous epiphany of going steady.

I can’t even lie yeah you got me falling (fall)
Even when I try and the game keep calling (call)
Why we in the club, why I’m always ballin’ (ball)
Tryna’ be in love, we don’t fall too often
It’s hard to (fall), but you got me falling (fall)
Even when I try and the hoes keep calling (call)
Why we in the club, why I’m always ballin’ (ball)
Tryna’ be in love, we don’t fall too often
It’s hard to (fall), but still

In the pre-chorus, Songz confidently demonstrates his ardent tenor as the introspective lyrics continue to reflect on his “trigga” persona of being the star at a club and being incapable of abandoning his player game. He’s in conflict with himself attempting to change his ways with much difficulty. Songz admits that his feelings for this girl keep him grounded and that even when infidelity presents itself he chooses to remain faithful.

The tooting beat takes a cinematic pause during the short chorus forcing listeners to hone in on Songz’s charismatic-velvety vocals. It sounds as if he’s reiterating to the girl that he’s a changed man now because of her. He continues the soulful ad-libbing of “ooh ah ah,” which brings vibrant timbre to “Nobody Else But You.”

They catch us on the low and I know you hate that (true)
They say that I’m yours and you say it ain’t that (true)
And every time it goes I just bring the pain back, yeah
Break ups to make ups that-that’s just the way it goes (ooh ah ah)
Know a lot of men would do you better (ooh ah)
Know that I done put you through whatever (ooh ah)
I know that you care for me, I know what you spared for me
I know you won’t wait on me forever (noooo)
Real one, I guess I’m just a fool with her
Looking in the mirror like, ain’t you scared to lose her?
Why you acting like another man wouldn’t choose her?
You know she the only true girl, ooh girl

The mood of the song flips at this point. Songz’s is still contemplating moving forward and leaving his past ways behind. Yet now the listener sees the girl isn’t willing to give Songz’s a chance to be in a relationship with lines like “they say that I’m yours and you say it ain’t that… real one, I guess I’m just a fool with her.” Perhaps the problem isn’t intrinsically Songz but the girl too?

But you, ooh ah ah, nobody else but you
But you, ooh ah ah, I don’t want nobody else but you
But you, ooh ah ah, nobody else but you
Nobody else but you, ooh ah ah, but you, ooh ah, but you

In the outro, Songz concludes the track by looping his ad-libs as the beat leisurely fades away. He’s again reiterating “faithfulness” to his lady, yet this time with hazy auto-tune; he sounds as if he is second guessing himself.

Songz understands the direction he wants to bring his sound in and remains consistent doing just that. Songz demonstrates why he is a staple when it comes to male R&B cooing endless ad-libs and charming-amorous hooks. “Nobody Else But You” is a typical R&B fashioned tune exploring the dynamic of a romantic relationship. It’s a change of pace for Songz going for a classy easygoing sophisticated-synth tune about love rather than explicit lustful verses about “stealing your girl.” “Nobody Else But You” marks Songz’s strategic move into adult contemporary R&B as his fan base along with him are casually forsaking their party till the-sun-comes-up days. Tremaine will be one of 2017’s first major R&B albums as Songz continues to dive into adult contemporary.

Kevin is a new contributing writer for Atwood Magazine. He's also a New York City native and recent graduate from Baruch College who double majored in journalism and corporate communications. While in school he interned at some of the biggest record labels in the industry while taking classes to enhance his writing craft. His record label experience led him to now work at Universal Music Group. Musically, he’s drawn to anything urban-pop based. He’s a dog lover, advocate for diversity, and forever a Yankee fan. In his downtime he can be found dining at the many restaurants of the world. Follow Kevin on Twitter where he tweets about music news, world news, and pop-culture.

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